The spring of Lourdes of "Japan's oldest" built in the 19th century is present in Goto Islands Island

"It is famous for Christians that in 1858 the Lady appeared in front of a girl named Bernadetta in the French Lourdes, a miracle spring cures a number of intractable diseases there"Lourdes fountainIt is a story. Vatican City has more than 60 "miracleAs a result of having certified the pilgrims who visit here even now, they will not fail.

Fountain of Lourdes of the original headman

By La Vie Français: Our Lady of Lourdes
http://aporritt-laviefrancais.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-lady-of-lourdes.html

In 1891 the then PopeLeo XIIIIs that the "Lourdes fountain" began to be created all over the world, following the fact that he himself made the model of the fountain of Lourdes within the Vatican's palace.Hidden ChristianityIn Goto Islands in Nagasaki prefecture boasting over 400 years history as a village, it was the first time in 1899 (Meiji 32)Inouchura churchA fountain of Lourdes was built. What kind of thing is it with the fountain of Lourdes in Japan with more than 100 years of history? I actually tried visiting.

Located in the westmost part of the Goto Islands Island Fukue Island. It is the starting point of Goshima-shi Fukue-cho which is the city center. This time I headed by using National Road No. 384. It is a distance of about one and a half to two hours by car with this route.


Here is its exact position

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When I was running a car, something that appeared was chosen as the most beautiful beach resort in JapanTakahama Beach. It is regrettable that it is out of season.


Mountains are approaching to the complicated coastline, and harbors are scattered


The field grew suddenly if I thought that I was running on the mountain road. The terrain of the island is rich in relief


A peaceful fishing village appeared


This mini bus was a mobile shop. My grandmother is shopping.


A pleasant path will follow


It is arrival. The letter of Lourdes is also on the top of the official signboard.


A big exercise facility is spreading in front of you. Although it was a holiday, I can not see the people.


The bus stop also "before Lourdes"


I see the church on the top of the hill. This is Inouchura church.


There was a detailed explanation in the signboard in English, Chinese, Korean as well as Japanese


Under the church is a building written as "The Church of the Water"


There was a old doorbell, but nobody was there


Some books related to Christianity are placed


Crosses that make history feel, Candlesticks and others are on exhibition


"Lourdes' 100th anniversary commemorative magazine" was sold


There are also shops, but there are many things for Christian pilgrims such as the statue of the Virgin Mary, the cross, Christian related books, and there are not many for casual tourists.


As we go up further we will see the whole picture of the church


Words taken from Matthew 11: 28, "Welcome home"


Although the history of the church is old since 1895, it was demolished in the wake of the 1987 typhoon and was demolished and newly built the following year.


There were also goods for pilgrims here. There is also a brochure on the original seal, a bottle of "fountain pouring".


Pilgrim memorial stamp


The fountain of Lourdes was at the side of the church


The fountain of Lourdes is that the French missionary Peru, who built Inouchura church, instructed the stone placement one by one and made it one by one


But it seems that water is not blowing


The fountain was completely removed. There are no signs of people around in order to hear the circumstances.


As I thought of what to do, I found a sign and a water supply beside the fountain


It seems that this is the same as the fountain of Lourdes to see the explanatory note and the cup


It says "Please drink with faith in Mary of Lourdes."


Twist the faucet and the water came out


I will decide to add water with the "Fountain Pond" above. There was an original seal on the surface.


Water was transparent, and when included in the mouth lightly felt the flavor of mineral. Actual efficacy is something you do not know without belief.


According to the booklet "Iruaraura Lourdes pilgrimage site" that was put in the church, the Goto Island island is "the island of Lourdes", that there are many Lourdes.


I went back to Fukue town and visited Fukue church on what it is


It is a relatively new cathedral erected in 1962.


There is Lourdes surrounded by a fence at the back of the left side of the cathedral


It seems that this shape originally conforms to the shape in the first place, there is no fountain


The story of "The Fountain of Lourdes" is often told by Our Lady in the context of "occult" or "power spot" such as incurable diseases and healing, but finally over 100 years ago, the harsh history of Christian crackdown For the surviving believers, the fountain of Lourdes built in various places was more purely a place of faith. The existence of Lourdes without fountains is not just a matter of seeking miraculous water, it can be said to be one of the ways in which faith appears.

Such way of thinking may be unfamiliar for many Japanese of the present age. But is not it the history of these fountains of Lourdes to be built and the "history of Japan" that should be kept in memory for the religiousity brought up there? In addition, Goto City is "Churches in Nagasaki and Christian relics"As a part of the aim is to register the church's world heritage in the island.